How Does Your Garden Grow
Ask an Expert pg6
Brooklyn Students
Learn to Blog pg8

221C Church Street, Comox
250-941-7824
blindsandbubbles.com

2 The Comox Valley Record

Va l l e y L i v i n g

Tuesday, MAY 14, 2013

❰❰ An Interview ❱❱

❰❰ Book Look ❱❱

with Tom Gray

What do Comox Valley writers like to read?
We asked two well-known local authors
and the owner of a prominent Comox Valley book store
about their favourite books of all time.

Retired Comox Valley RCMP Inspector
Now retired/raising chickens, roosters,
and a small cacophony of birds on his rural
property in Comox.

Paula Wild ~ writer,

Hometown?

longtime Comox Valley Record contributor

Grew up in B.C. — in Prince George.

How long in the Comox
Valley?
We (along with his wife Sherry) were living
in Campbell River and in the spring of 2003,
I competed for the inspector job. In the fall
of 2003, we committed to buying land in the
Comox Valley, and looked around, and we
ended up buying a house in Comox.

Retired RCMP inspector Tom Gray
inspects the hens that lay his eggs.
What are the various jobs
you've held over the years?

Claim to fame?
Comox Valley RCMP inspector. In this position
you're more involved in the day-to-day
activities. You're responsible for many of
the decisions at the end of the day, but it's
probably the most satisfying because of the
relationship you form with many people.
I believe in strategic planning. We tried to take
policing to a different level and try to prioritize
and focus on certain issues. We were the first
RCMP detachment with a full-time domestic
violence investigator; we made that one of our
priorities and worked with partners and other
agencies.

Current passion?
Working on expanding the farm and continuing
to be involved in the community. I'm still
involved in CrimeStoppers, I just got involved
in the Comox Valley Community Foundation
and I'm involved in Rotary with Strathcona
Sunrise.

Favourite food?
I always have to have coffee in the morning,
and Fridays are usually good for a steak on the
barbecue and a glass of wine — it's a nice way
to end the week. I love to cook and I can make
a really good stew and homemade soups. I'm
also learning to make bread.

When I graduated high school in
Golden, I worked for Ducks Unlimited
as a go-fer, and worked with older men
who said I should apply for the RCMP.
I applied in Creston in January 1972,
and got a job with the town working
on a garbage truck. In October, I
got a phone call on a Monday (from
the RCMP), and it was a whirlwind
because on Thursday I had to leave
for training in Regina. I quite enjoyed
it. I was 19 years old, completely
naive, and it wasn't easy, but I actually
enjoyed (training).

What was the best thing
about your career and why?
To have a livelihood that enjoy and
that supported my family, and all of
the adventures with moving around
the province. Also, having three boys
and watching them grow up on the
right track.

What has been your most
memorable life experience?
When I met my wife, Sherry.
By Erin Haluschak, Record Staff

One of my all-time favourite books is to Kill a Mockingbird by
Harper Lee. I’ve read the book several times and am always drawn
into the plot of racial tension, family dynamics and, most of all,
the mysterious neighbour down the street. Another book that
struck a chord with me is The Stone Angel by Margaret Laurence.
I love the twist near the end of this bittersweet end of life story.
As a mystery fan, one of my favourite authors is Ruth Rendell. The
book from her extensive repertoire that stands out in my mind
is Talking to Strange Men. No one gets inside the heads of their
characters like Rendell!

Richard Mackie ~ writer

It might surprise people familiar with my books on the Comox
Valley that my greatest literary influence is the English novelist
and poet Thomas Hardy (1840-1928). I had Hardy’s Wessex in mind
when I wrote my Comox Valley books. For Hardy, the local was all
that mattered. He tried to preserve local dialect, ballads, dances,
histories, culture, custom, traditions, folklore, and genealogy. Like
Wessex, the historical Comox Valley was a self-contained place,
rich in history and character, able to stand on its own without
intellectual buttresses. I love all Hardy’s books, but I would
recommend A Pair of Blue Eyes (1873), The Return of the Native
(1878), and Two on a Tower (1882).

Evelyn Gillespie ~ owner,
Laughing Oyster Books

Choosing a favourite book is like choosing a favourite child —
impossible to do! But there are books that have been important
to me at different times in my life. Formative books for me were
the autobiographies of philosopher Simone de Beauvoir; Margaret
Laurence's The Diviners (raw, earthy and supremely Canadian) and
Virginia Woolf's Orlando and Room of One's Own. And who could
better answer the question of the meaning of life than Douglas
Adams in Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. But my favourite recent
read is Mr. Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan. This is
a fun, mysterious and magical novel about the intersection of the
old and the new — Google meets Gutenberg — books, bookstores,
digital technologies and inquiring minds together.

Together Forever Always

E X C L U S I V E LY A T

A L W AY S
ALFRED SUNG

320 - 5th Street,
Downtown Courtenay

250 Fifth Street, Downtown Courtenay
250-334-3178

www.searlesshoes.com

searlesshoes@telus.net

250-334-2611

Va l l e y L i v i n g

Tuesday, MAY 14, 2013

The Comox Valley Record

3

Comox Valley Real Estate REVEALED
Here & There:

The Comox Valley’s 12 month sell/list
ratio has remained constant since January
at 47%(remember that’s the ratio of sales to
listings). You have to go all the way back to
April 2012 before it reaches 50%. If you look
at specific areas, Courtenay East has the
best chance of selling at 54%, followed by
Comox at 52%, Courtenay City at 48% and
Cumberland at 47%.
The Vancouver Island Real Estate Board
breaks our area or zone as they call it, into
12 areas. The town of Comox has the most
sales at 61, then Courtenay East at 36 and
Courtenay City at 29.
According to these statistics more than
50% of the listings taken over last year have
not sold. There are a myriad of reasons,
the house is too dated, it doesn’t have
the right colours, the carpets are old, the
flooring is in poor taste, the style is wrong,
blah,blah,blah... I have yet to see a house
you can’t sell, you can repaint, re-carpet,
re-whatever. In most cases re-price is the
solution. Right now we still have houses
that are not realistically priced, some are
because of condition, others because of the
area. The reason VIREB breaks our zone

down into 12 different areas is because
they are different, different by age, by
style, by amenities. Crown Isle is different
than Union Bay and Mt.Washington is not
comparable to the Comox Peninsula. If
you look at your area, what is your price
range, it’s a better way of looking at it
then an average price. Comox is the most
diverse, there are sales from $125,000 to
$552,000 this year, Comox can easily have
a waterfront sale in excess of a million
dollars. Right now only 22% of its sales
are over $400,000; so why are 46% of the
listings in Comox over $400,000? Courtenay
City sale prices range from $225,000 to
$364,900. Courtenay East sales, range from
$207,000 to $600,000 so far this year and
it too can easily have a sale in excess of a
million dollars.
There have been 215 completed sales
this year, of the completed sales 20 are
over $500,000. We are averaging 5 sales a
month over $500,000, that means we have
42 months or 31/2 years of inventory (if
we never take another listing in that price
range), and we’ve taken 11 more.

Comox, BC
Listed for: $429,900
Features: 1700 sq.ft., 3 bdrms, 2 bath
in the heart of Comox. This almost
new home has lots to offer; 9’ ceiling,
vaulted 11’ ceiling in living room with 2
sided fireplace, large kitchen with wood
cabinets and pantry, open kitchen
dining room leading to extra large
stamped deck area.

from around the Comox Valley
by hanspetermeyer
Congratulations to several new
restaurants. The Breakwater Restaurant
opened it’s patio to warmer weather on
May 1 a new garden-inspired cocktail list.
(Lavender Martini? Mmmm).
Rachel McColm is the new owner of
mobile vendor Sam & Petes Gourmet
Hotdogs. She says they’ll keep serving
locally made gluten free smokies, pulled
pork sandwiches, and fresh made pizzas.
Watch for them at Central Builders. Give
her a tweet @SamandPetes. Know any
other mobile vendors? Tweet me at @
BonVivantVanIsl.

May’s Vancouver Island #localfoodhero
promo is sponsored by BC Shellfish
Festival. Tell us who makes the best Island
clam chowder and you’re in to win a
backyard oyster BBQ for 6. FMI: http://j.
mp/MayLFH

One Big Table returns to Avenue Bistro
on May 27 with a 4 course wine-pairing
dinner featuring Beaufort Vineyard's 2012
new releases.

Courtenay 660 England Ave. & 440 Lerwick Rd.

Relax and Enjoy Your Break
on our Sunny Patio!

Chef Adrian Merrilees (formerly with Fluid
Bar & Grill) has two newsworthy notes.
First, he’s opened the Tee Box in at the
Comox Golf Course, serving breakfast,
lunch, and dinner 8-till-late every day. He’s
also opening a small onsite restaurant
at The Bridge in Courtenay. Lunches,
afternoon snacks, tapas on the deck, BBQs
on weekends.

Coastal Black Estate Winery’s bistro opens
for 7 days a week, Victoria Day weekend
till the Flavour event September 15. Watch
for 10 days of clam pizza and “Oysters
Rocky” from the wood-fired oven during
BC Shellfish Festival.

Simon and Katy Fogg are the artisans
behind Red Tree Specialty Coffee. Fairly
new to the area, they’re part of an exciting
emergent young/local food scene. Coffee is
sourced via ethical channels, roasted here,
and they’re featuring a roster of local food
folks, including Darkside Chocolates, Little
Orca Bakery, The Tea Center, and Tria
Culinary. At the foot of the parking lot at
2230 Cliffe Ave.

Another chef on the move, Andrew Stigant
(formerly with Crown Isle), has released
his spring menu at both the Flying Canoe
Pub and Chalk Lounge at the Westerly
Hotel. Apparently he’s in a scrappy mood,
laying claim to the “Best Burger In Town.”
You tell me. June 6 the pub hosts the 3rd
annual Best Caesar in Town, part of the BC
Shellfish Festival. #CaesarJun6 on Twitter.

The North Island's Gourmet Picnic ~ Flavour
gourmetpicnic.ca

BC Shellfish Festival events start June 6
with the Best Caesar in Town competition
at the Flying Canoe Pub. On June14 it’s the
Chef’s Dinner. On June 15 (12-5pm) it’s the
free, public event at Comox Marina Park
with cooking demos, chowder contest,
and the BC finals for the Canadian Oyster
Shucking competition (the winner goes
on the Charlottetown, PEI). Great way to
do “family” and “food” on Fathers’ Day
weekend! Watch #BCShellFest on Twitter.
FMI: BCShellfishFestival.ca
Also tied to BC Shellfish Festival, Island
Joy Rides bicycle/food tours is offering a
Weekend Escape/Cycle of Love June 14-16
with a “ride bikes, eat oysters” theme. A
great way for visitors to the area to learn
about the region’s food culture – and
generate a healthy appetite!

"Summer in a bottle," is how Courtenay
VQA owner Cindy Holland describes the
three bottles of pink wine in front of us.
I’ve asked her to talk about BC wines and
food pairings because of her knowledge
of the 100s of wines in the shop. "I'm
featuring rosés because they’re often
under-rated as sweet and light-weight
patio sippers. These three are all on the
drier side, and all are very food-friendly."
We start with the Stag's Hollow Syrah
Rosé. "You'll notice strawberry and field
flowers when you smell it,” Cindy tells me.
“But the Syrah gives it spice and tannins,
leaving a nice, crisp finish after that sweet
front-of-mouth experience. I know from
recent experience that it goes well with
Greek-style grilled chicken with lemon,
garlic, oregano and a watermelon salad
with feta and sweet poppy seed dressing."
Our second wine is a "mystery"
winemaker Cathy Malone is inviting all
Twitter users to unfold (tweet her at @
HillsideWines). Malone tell us there are
six grapes in the Hillside Winery Rosé
blend. Two are Merlot and Pinot Noir, but
the rest? Cindy sniffs, sips, and considers.
"It's fruit-forward on the nose with wild
strawberry scents. It's got a nice weight
with a good, long finish, some slight
tannins at the end. I'm guessing there’s
Syrah here, maybe even Gamay?" We all
taste and interpret wines differently, she
says. That's part of the fun of tasting:
not only are all wines different, but how
we experience them is also so varied.
Nevertheless, she says that this wine, with

its "crisp green apple, almost citrus finish"
would pair very well with buttery rich
foods, like crab cakes.
We’ve arrived at our final tasting this
afternoon: the Tantalus Rosé, a 2012
vintage from old vines that date from the
1960s. Old vines generally produce less
fruit, but with deeper roots they feature
richer, more concentrated, complex, and
perhaps earthier flavours. 50 year vines
are considered “old” in the Okanagan;
in a recent trip to Spain, Cindy says she
tasted wine from 100 year old vines. This
particular bottle harbours a blend of Pinot
Meunier and Pinot Noir. Cindy suggests
we'll first experience the sweet aromas
and flavours related to rose petals, even
cotton candy. "But then it gets sharper,
and finishes dry," she says, relishing the
experience. "There's a higher alcohol level
this vintage, and the flavours are stronger.
I'd pair this with bolder foods like
Dungenesse crab or spicy tapas – kalamari
would be great!"

Your turn - If you’re interested in
exploring the world of VQA (Vintners Quality
Alliance) from BC, the Courtenay VQA
stores hosts no-charge wine tastings Fridays
and Saturdays, 3-6pm. And if you have a
glass to share with us, please tell us what
you’re enjoying on our “good food” page at
Facebook.com/EatDrinkComoxValley.
Wines discussed - Stag's Hollow Syrah
Rosé (2012) from Okanagan Falls.
Hillside Winery Rosé (2012)
from the Naramata Bench.
Tantalus Rosé (2012)
from South East Kelowna.

FANTASTIC SALES ON NOW!
Open
Sauvignon
Blanc

8.99
Was $14.99

Shines with Seafood
Across from
Future Shop
In the RBC building

250.871.1444

Fine
Catering
and
Gourmet
Eats

A Full Moon Feast menu
from last year.
photo BY:
Boomer Jerritt

Scott Stanfield ~ Record Staff
Tria: Fine Catering and Gourmet Eats
offers catering options for special events,
customizing menus that feature the best
of the season. The business also features
a frozen take-home dinner selection.
"We have a whole different component
that's growing," owner Kathy Jerritt said
of the latter. "In addition to our catering
services we have this whole line, and it's
growing."
Founded in 2009, Tria has grown and
changed in accordance with customer
needs.
The business name derives from the
Latin word for three, in reference to
three core values: collaboration (with
businesses, non-profit organizations,
producers, farmers and individuals);
thoughtfulness (supporting local growers,
farmers and producers) and integrity.
Tria retails out of Prontissima Pasta in
the Tin Town section of Courtenay. Jerritt
is collaborating with Prontissima owner
Sarah Walsh and Lia McCormick, owner of
Clever Crow.
"We're trying to get together and
collaborate on how to share costs on
space and things like that," Jerritt said.
"There's a common thread between all
of us, which is trying to create fast, easy,
healthy, locally sourced meals."

Because Jerritt doesn't have a retail
outlet, the trio is trying to co-market each
other's products.
Tria has its production facility on Fifth
Street, but the business has reached a
stage where it needs a bigger space.
The next step is to streamline the
packaging and to eventually reach a point
where the frozen take-home component is
a viable, healthy option.
"We try to source the ingredients and
the components from around here," Jerritt
said. "We have our regular customers who
order from us every month."
Tria started back at the outdoor
Farmers' Market the last weekend of April.
Its popular crepe stand features changing
specials including sweet and savoury
choices. It moves indoor in October
where it sells frozen take-home dinners.
Tria is entering its fifth season hosting
the popular Full Moon Feasts, a magical
evening of food, wine and company on the
lawn of the Filberg Lodge in Comox. There
are 50 seats available for each evening,
with an additional six open for charities
and non-profits.
Full Moon Feast dates
are July 22 and Aug. 20, starting at 6 p.m.
For more information or to book a space,
contact bookings@triafinecatering.ca
or phone 250-871-8716.
reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com

Hans Peter Meyer
When Chef Laura Agnew and her family moved
to the Comox Valley part of the reason was our
emerging local food culture. “In some ways it’s better
than the Cowichan Valley,” she says. “There’s so
much more capacity to produce local, organic food.”
Another factor was affordability of productive land.
Laura knew she wanted to grow more of what went
into her products and catering, so the family traded
an urban Victoria life for a small house on an historic
farm in Union Bay.
Five years later, her As You Like It brand has Laura
busy catering and selling product at a number of
venues on the Island. The brand is about “local.” It’s
also about “custom.” “I work with catering clientele
to find the right mix of local flavour and price point,”
she says. On the retail side, she’s just finished with
the seasonal Mother’s Day baskets, and is gearing
up for a rush on her BBQ sauces as Father’s Day
approaches. “The picnic baskets are very popular,”
she says, “but the men, they’re more likely to BBQ.”
Laura’s Signature BBQ sauce, with its distinctive
“Windsor-style,” is a hot item. “It was inspired by a
sauce I grew up with and visitors from Ontario tell
me it tastes like it’s from that region.” But Laura
didn’t start with the Signature BBQ sauce, and
neither it nor the picnic baskets are all that her local
food-focused business is about.
Roots in the markets
Sixteen years ago she was making a sweet, spicy
sauce to go with Pad Thai and crab cakes in a
Brentwood Bay eatery. “People kept popping their
heads into the kitchen, asking to take some home.”
During her first maternity Laura started bottling the
Chiang-Mai sauce and selling at Victoria area farmers’
markets. She continues to create fresh ideas for her
products and catering, sourcing almost entirely from
her ever-expanding garden and the Comox Valley
Farmers' Market.
Markets are an important part of the growth of
Chef Laura’s business. “They’re great places to test
products, see what people like and hear what they
have to say. People love the interaction.” After five
years at the Comox Valley Farmers' Market, she
recently experienced her biggest day of sales. “It’s
great to see repeat customers bringing their friends
to try my awesome sauces.”
Extracurricular activities include volunteering with
the local “Growing Chefs” school program. “It's about
helping kids understand how to grow and prepare
vegetables and where it comes from. They love it.”

Q
A

New Building Codes Impact Windows July 1
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Do you have
a garden question?
Email Cassandra at

www.BlackCreekFarmAndFeed.com

*Until July 31, 2013

This is the number one
question I am asked
during garden consults
and the quick answer is:
right after they flower.
Pruning too late after the
flower declines you could
be pruning off next year’s
prized bouquets. Because
we live in a rain forest most
plants will exceed their
expected final sizes and it is
important to garden design
that plants maintain their
intended shapes. You should
also prune any dead or wild
looking branches off when
they appear. If you have to
severely prune a mature
shrub try not to remove
more than a third of it in
one pruning, and be patient
as it might take a few years
to produce flowers again.
Happy gardening!

Email: info@paradiseplants.ca

2184 Lalum Road

Where to find As You Like It
You’ll find a large variety of As You Like It products
at Weinberg’s Good Foods in Buckley Bay, Royston
Roasting, Island Bison, Edible Island, VQA Wines,
Grassy Point, Willows Market, St. Jean's Cannery
and Art Gallery in Campbell River, several stores in
Victoria including the Red Barn and Market stores,
and soon in Tofino and Uclulet.

50 off

$

When can I prune my
lilacs, hydrangeas,
rhododendrons, and
basically all of my
flowering shrubs?

BROOKLYN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Grade 3 teacher CATHY BULGER teaches her students
HOWTO BLOG as they practise their writing skills.
Bulger's class has an edublog
called Climb High, at

www.climbhigh.edublogs.org,
which students regularly write for
and post to as part of their class work.
All correspondence and student posts
must be approved by Bulger
before it shows up on the blog
for safety reasons.
People all over the world read the class' work and
provide comment, which Bulger says is her favourite thing
about the tool.
"This is an avenue for them to write for a real purpose,"
she says. "That's one of the biggest things that I use the
blog for is rather than just writing and putting it in a book
or in a file, they are writing for a purpose, knowing that
people in the world are reading their writing."
The 24 kids in Bulger's class must comment back when
a reader comments on their post, which they enjoy doing,
adds Bulger.
"When the kids get comments from other people, it's just
such a thrill," she says.
"They absolutely love it. Every day or two they're looking
to see if anyone has commented back to them."
Students write about various topics as part of their class
exercises but they also take part in a Student Blogging
Challenge. The challenges goes out to various class blogs
around the world and pose certain questions or subjects
for students to respond to.
Though it's called a 'challenge,' Bulger says the activity is
designed more to allow students to see how other students
respond than to compete. Her class can see what students

from another class in another part of the world wrote and
compare it to their responses, giving them a glimpse into
other cultures.
According to Bulger, class blogging is becoming popular
in many countries, particularly Australia, New Zealand and
England.

She says the students, aged eight and nine, develop a
sense of global awareness via blogging.
"It's a wonderful way for them to look at the world and see
how far away it really is," says Bulger. "So getting that idea
of how global we are and how we can attach a real meaning
to somebody around the world."

Moving wholesale carts to the
truck for delivery throughout
Vancouver Island

Transplanting seedlings
into 606â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trays

EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE
awaits you with a smile
Planting and
caring for seed trays

Hand watering all the
plants in the nursery
with care

With 16 greenhouses the
30 staff members are busy
every day caring after each
and every plant

It all starts with great soil
and a great team working
together to provide top
quality plants

ELLEN AND KARL
have been operating the nursery SINCE 1996.

9

10 The Comox Valley Record

Va l l e y L i v i n g

Tuesday, MAY 14, 2013

❰❰ Duchess of Dirt ❱❱

Planting
for those
tough places
Leslie Cox ~ Special to the Record
How many of you have at least one tough
spot in your garden?
I am sure there must be a few who have an
area that challenges your aspirations of being
the Master Gardener of your domain. I know I
do. More than one area, in fact.
Ever since we put in the bed along our
narrow rural road back in 2001 and the big
changes that began on the front garden in
2004, I have been struggling to find "what
works" in my garden. My problem? Three
large trees and three smaller trees.
Always thankful for the small miracles in
my life...at least I only have to worry about
six trees. We took six trees out. Twelve were
just too many for an area roughly 55 feet by
50 feet.
(Why is it people insist on planting
something because "it will not get big in my
lifetime"?)
But three of the trees pose the biggest
problems for me.

Acer campestre
(hedge maple)
is one of the trees
under which it is difficult to plant things.

Simply put — they are big. Really big. Their
roots go everywhere.
So let me put one gardening myth to rest.
The feeder roots DO NOT end at the outer
reaches of the tree's canopy. And Graham
Rice concurs in his book Planting the Dry
Shade Garden (Timber Press, Inc. 2011).
According to Graham, and it makes sense,
tree roots will reach out in their search for
whatever fertilizer and moisture they can find.
I can certainly testify my trees have
been sending their feeder roots out in all
directions... way, way beyond...in fact, far
beyond the limits of their outer leaves.
Probably because I always add a generous
amount of manure or compost, plus a healthy
serving of a complete fertilizer into every
planting hole I dig. I have justifiably made my
trees very happy in my garden.
My trees are also very happy with all
the water I give to my new plantings or
transplants. Naturally...they would be. Just
like a kid with a fistful of change in a candy
store.

Photo by Leslie Cox
Not to be left out of the equation in the
problem with gardening around trees is
dealing with their shade quotient.
First, let me make it perfectly clear. There is
nowhere I would rather be on a hot summer
day than under my shade trees reposing with
a tall glass of something deliciously cool...
sometimes spiked...usually not.
But when it comes to planting underneath...
man, it can be a hard slog finding plants that
are tough enough to cut the mustard and
stand up to those trees.
Well, surprise, surprise. Two of my six trees
made Graham's list of tough trees to plant
under — Acer campestre (hedge maple) and
Aesculus hippocastanum (horse chestnut).
John has one on the list, too...his Acer
platanoides (Norway maple).
I also think my Acer saccharinum (silver leaf
maple) should have been on Graham's list. As
should any tree that is over 25 feet tall, I don't
care what the species. When it comes to the
root system on a large tree, you are talking
tough planting.
Graham went on to classify various tree
species by denseness of shade and early
versus late leafing varieties...among other
criteria. Sure, those factors do have some
bearing on what one can plant underneath.
But bottom line...if a plant cannot compete
with tree roots, it is a sad-looking plant
indeed.
I mentioned it is a tough slog to find
plants that will look nice in my tough areas
underneath the trees. It is true.
Through trial and error, my front garden has
taken some time to get to where I am happy
with the results. Mostly because I was trying
to put in plants that I liked or wanted in my
garden that were totally unsuitable for the

If you would like to visit our garden,
we are open every Friday and Saturday
or by appointment.
For our hours and more details,
check out my website at www.duchessofdirt.ca,
e-mail duchessofdirt@telus.net
or phone 250-337-8051.
Leslie Cox co-owns Growing Concern Cottage
Garden in Black Creek.

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growing conditions.
Thankfully, I am "getting there." Nothing
wrong with trial and error. It makes the
end result much more enjoyable.He was
attempting to increase crop yields and disease
resistance, primarily root rot, by grafting
watermelon scion onto a squash rootstock.
Specifically, Cucurbita moschata to which
butternut and winter crookneck squash
belong.
Based on his success with watermelons and
its spread throughout the agricultural sector,
grafting cucumbers soon followed.
Nowadays, herbaceous grafting is done on
melons, cucumbers, peppers, eggplants ... and
tomatoes.
And it is catching on in North America
with the advancement in development of
robots and machinery in the grafted seedling
production process.
Some of the labour-intensive costs for this
type of seedling production can now be
reduced.
Interesting to note, most of the grafted
seedling production facilities in North
America are located in B.C and Ontario. They
supply greenhouse commercial growers
throughout North America and Mexico.
As for the home gardener ... grafted
tomatoes have been available from selected
seed suppliers since about 2008 as near as I
can ascertain. Art Knapp's Plantland started
offering them in 2012.
The supposed perks to these new, albeitexpensive, tomato plants is a higher crop
yield of your favourite heirloom variety and
greater disease resistance. And the latest buzz
I am hearing in grafted tomatoes ... having two
different tomato varieties on the same plant,
thus saving valuable gardening space.
Have not tried growing a grafted tomato
plant yet so the jury is still out for me.

250-334-0801

3663 South Island Highway • Courtenay
Island Owned & Operated

Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm

FREE PARTS
DELIVERY TO
TOP SHELF FEEDS

VA L L E Y L I V I N G

Tuesday, MAY 14, 2013

THE COMOX VALLEY RECORD

11

CHINA

s
d
r
a
c
Post
HOME

From the first day arriving in China until
the last day of my visit, I was continually
struck by the industriousness of this
country and its people. From the Ming
Dynasty until present day China, the
testaments of a hard-working peoples are
everywhere to be seen.

DIANNE HAWKINS, President & CEO,
Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce

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The Forbidden City is 7 metres deep
below the concrete, re-enforced with
rocks and all measure of debris to ensure
that the Emperor’s place of residence was
secure from anyone entering into the City
by tunnelling underground. The Summer
Palace was a magical display of gardens,
the bridge of arches built over a beautiful
serene man-made lake and island. This
is where the Emperor and his subjects
would live during the fairer weather from
May until October. To saunter along
pathways that were once travelled on
by Emperors hundreds of years ago is
almost unimaginable. It was a beautiful
sight to behold.
Visiting the Suzhou Singapore Industrial
Park to view its 2024 plans for the
future was another testament to the
industriousness of these peoples and its
government. The business tour guide
elaborated for us the plans for the Suzhou
area. The model used for demonstrations
depicted the vision of Suzhou by 2024.
The only comparison I can give you was
similar to seeing the Star Trek captain

demonstrating by a lighted control panel
the next galaxy. Each district is divided
into industry and uses. (picture attached)
and our guide led us through each district
by moving, lighting and demonstrating the
areas. (there will also be an underground
rapid transit system below the water)
My favourite memory of China was in
Shanghai, we (2 travelling companions
and myself) were invited to visit the home
of a business woman who’s manufacturing
company makes parts for GM. Spending
an evening sitting around the table in her
home and sharing a meal was a wonderful
taste of the culture of China in real life.
She and her family were gracious hosts
and we were honoured to be welcomed
into her home. She personally took us
to her favourite shopping spots and
gladly bartered on our behalf, it was
quite enlightening to watch. Later we
visited a health spa and as her guests,
were treated to foot massages and then
delivered back to our hotel gifts in
hand. It was a magical end to a “forever
remembered” trip.

12

THE COMOX VALLEY RECORD

FINGERNAILS
give us the ability
to scratch when
we have an itch!

VA L L E Y L I V I N G

Tuesday, MAY 14, 2013

THE IMPORTANCE OF FINGERNAILS

The fingernail is a structure made of keratin that
acts as a protective shield and also enhances the
sensation of the fingertip. Although the nail has no
nerve endings, our fingertips do! The nail acts as a
counterforce to the fingertip providing even more
sensory input when an object is touched. Our finger
nails also help with dexterity and are very helpful
when trying to pick up coins or peel an orange. Nails
are made up of hardened skin cells. There is a matrix
underneath the cuticle of the nail (the half moon),
and when new skin cells grow, the previous cells are
pressed forward and create a hardened, visible nail.
Fingernails grow faster than toenails at a rate of 3mm
per month taking 6 months to grow from the root to
the free edge. Toenails grow about 1 mm per month
and take 12-18 months to be completely replaced.
Nail disorders can result from improper and poor
nail care so Dermatologists recommend we keep our
nails clean and dry. This keeps bacteria and other
contagious germs from developing under the nails.
To maintain healthy nails, having regular manicures
(and pedicures for your feet) is a very good idea. A
manicure improves the look of the fingernails and
hands as well as assists in the prevention of hang
nails, nail damage and developing fragile tips, splits
etc. In addition, the massage included with manicures
enhances blood circulation, helps improve skin's
health and discourages wrinkling. After hands are
soaked and washed thoroughly, the nails are shaped

FOR THE
HEALTH OF IT!
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and a cuticle conditioner is applied.
Cuticles are gently pushed back and
any loose or dead skin is removed. Next
your hands and arms are exfoliated and
in some manicures, masks or paraffin
is included. Then a hydrating lotion is
massaged onto the hands and arms and to

Spanx. If you’re a woman, you’ve
probably heard of it and have likely
even worn it. It’s the secret beneath a
woman’s clothes that slims and smooths
her silhouette. You might know it as a
body-shaper. And the woman behind this
product is every bit as successful as the
product itself.
Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx,
did what many entrepreneurs did –
she solved a problem. In her case, her
problem was finding an undergarment
that would provide a blemish-free look
under her white pants. When she couldn’t
find what she was looking for, she created
it.
Spanx started humbly with control-top
pantyhose with the feet cut off. This
simple idea led to an undergarment
revolution. It led to over 200 products,
each designed to provide an improved
shape without any bumps or lines along
the way. But, of course, Spanx isn’t
just known in the lingerie field; Spanx
has been mentioned by everyone from
Hollywood to CNN to Saturday Night Live.
And this craze for Spanx has made
Blakely the youngest self-made billionaire,
according to Forbes magazine, not
to mention one of TIME’s 100 Most
Influential People.
Today, Spanx can be found in every

shape and size and its latest line,
Thinstincts, is poised to be another hit.
Tops in this line not only smooth the
torso but also fit every chest best as
there is no control in the bosom, allowing
women to wear the bra of their choice.
Of course, Spanx’s mission remains the
same: To help women feel great about
themselves and their potential. And that’s
a mission we can get behind.

Offer valid at participating
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See in store
for details.

* Over $2000 Instant Rebate value based on maximum combined rebate amounts on purchase of qualifying Maytag® appliances. In-store, instant rebate (after
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Over $2000 Instant Rebate value based on maximum combined rebate amounts on purchase of qualifying Maytag® appliances. In-store, instant rebate (after
taxes) valid on qualifying Maytag® appliances purchased from a participating authorized Canadian Maytag ® appliance dealer between May 1 and June 2, 2013.
Instant rebate will be deducted at time of purchase. GST/HST/QST and Provincial Sales Tax (where applicable) are included in the rebate amount.

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Nope, not Jim Morrison - but
the entrance to your home,
your bedroom, or the opening
to your backyard, each one
says something about the
style of your home.
Door stores have many
for you to choose from
and all of them
have their beginnings
in the following eras:

By Judith Moore

THE COMOX VALLEY RECORD

www.courtenayappliances.com

to Sat.
9 am - 5 pm

McConochie’s
Exclusive to:

Fast FREE
Delivery & Set Up!

Furniture and Appliances Ltd.

Serving the Comox Valley for 49 Years.

434 - 5th Street, Courtenay 250-338-8114 www.mcconochies.ca

14 The Comox Valley Record

Not all
windows
are
created
equal
... nor will they
pass inspection!
New building
codes go into
effect July 1

Va l l e y L i v i n g

If you are considering a home improvement
project or new construction for any project
that includes the purchase and installation
of windows or doors and is one that requires
a building permit, you should be aware of
significant changes in the building code that
will take effect on July 1.
With Canada leading North American in
its commitment to energy efficiency, the
Canadian government is requiring all window
manufacturers to comply with the new and
stricter manufacturing, testing, and labeling
requirements.
According to Bob Kamerbeek, a
representative of All Weather Windows, “The
focus of these new changes is to minimize the
amount of air and wind that can penetrate
through a window.”
“If a customer purchases windows without the
new labeling after July 1, the building inspector
for that project will most likely require replacing
the new window with one that is compliant with
the new requirements,” he adds.

Tuesday, MAY 14, 2013
While these new changes are on the Federal
level, British Columbia is the only province that
already requires windows be low-e and Argon
filled, so homeowners and contractors here on
the island should be sure any newly purchased
windows comply with that requirement as well.
The new technology that is incorporated into
these new specifications is only the minimum
required for a window to be governmentregulation compliant.
Many homeowners choose to add additional
features that vary by manufacturer. All
Weather’s “SunStop” is one of their most
popular features that keeps homes cooler
during the summer and warmer in the winter
by increasing R Values, as compared to clear
glass.
For a product category that many think of
as a commodity—one window is the same as
the next—it is important to know how much
window/glass technology has evolved in just
the last decade. Window manufacturers
around the world are investing huge dollars

into R&D to gain the competitive edge in
energy efficiency and other features, as simple
as built-in blinds.
Be sure to do your research with a local
company that not only can provide you
with information about the government
requirements, but also about features. Also
make sure your installer is aware of these
building code requirements, installs windows
that are compliant, and stands behind his or
her work.
And, don’t forget to read the fine print in
warranties or ask questions of your retailer.
Some manufacturer warranties even have
stipulations in the fine print about the validity
of the warranty in and around salt water.
Steve Nixon, owner of Black Creek
Farm & Feed Supply in Black Creek,
which carries an array of windows and doors
for various building projects.
250-337-8922.
www.BlackCreekFarmAndFeed.com.

Welcome to Grains Bakery.
We strive to provide, in all of our
baking and cooking, ingredients
that are natural, fresh,
and preservative free..
See ad on page 4.

Secret Drawers Lingerie

End of the Roll

With 16 years of expertise,
Nena and Vashti offer
personal bra fittings.
Lingerie from the small
to the sizable, for all occasions.
See ad on page 12.

Searle’s Shoes

Celebrating 80 years in the
Comox Valley! Whether it’s
for work, day to day or formal
occasions we are sure to find
the perfect shoe for you.
See ad on page 2.

Courtenay Appliances

Come visit the luxury showroom
at Courtenay Appliances
where you’ll find all the
appliances you need to help you
cook up your dream kitchen.
www.courtenayappliances.com
See ad on page 13.

Barry Sawatsky of
End of the Roll says
whether you’re looking for
laminate, vinyl, carpet,
hardwood, tile or area rugs –
our prices will floor you!
See ad on page 7.

Blinds & Bubbles Boutique
The North Island’s only
Hunter Douglas Showroom.
See ad on page 1.

Vera-De Windows Inc

has been designing, manufacturing
and installing windows in the
Comox Valley since 1998.
We are the sole North American
manufacturer of Aluplast E-85
windows and doors, one of
the most advanced systems
available today.
See ad on page 16.

North Vancouver Island’s largest
sewing machine outlet, “after the
sale, it’s the service that counts”
See ad on page 3.

Atlas Café

is the home of perfectly
overstuffed breakfasts, bustling
lunches and inspired dinners.
A restaurant with consistent
quality food, service and fun!
See ad on page 5.

Va l l e y L i v i n g

Tuesday, MAY 14, 2013

The Comox Valley Record 15

Expert Advice – Focus on Vinyl
Whether your décor is traditional,
contemporary, or country, there is a large
selection of vinyl flooring that will allow you to
find the right style and colour to match your
decorating schemes. The newest trend in today’s
vinyl flooring is the reproduction of natural
looking ceramic, slate, and stone designs, offering
the texture, richness and the feel of real ceramic
or stone tiles, but with a much easier-to-maintain
finish. Vinyl flooring also comes in a huge variety
of beautiful wood grain patterns. Ranging from
light to dark, and fine to rougher wood grain
finishes, you can easily get the look of hardwood
in your home.
Vinyl flooring is smart, practical and beautiful.
It stands up to water, moisture, scuffs, and
indentations in a warm, comfortable and ‘it-looksgreat’ kind of way. In a class all its own, today’s
vinyl flooring offers you a wide spectrum of
exciting choices and unusual design options.

Here are a variety of benefits that you should keep in
mind when choosing a new Vinyl floor:
• Unlimited design options - match any décor
• Ease of maintenance - no hassles with cleaning
• High durability - even in traffic areas
• Broad range of costs - fits all budgets
• Extremely moisture resistant - for wet area use
• Unlimited usage - use in any room of the home
• Great resiliency - easy underfoot
Vinyl flooring is a type of resilient flooring that has
some "give" or elasticity when you walk across it. It
is often used in kitchens and bathrooms because of
its good looks, resistance to moisture, wide variety
of colours and textures, and relative ease of cleaning.
This floor type provides stylish options, high
performance and tremendous value.
You can now have the look you want without having
to worry about expensive costs or high maintenance.
An experienced Flooring Advisor can provide you
with valuable information, delivered in an easy-

to-understand way, so that you have
everything you need to make the smartest
decisions for you, your family and home.
Decorating today is an exciting challenge
that combines matching timeless themes
with busy contemporary lifestyles, which
can require a break from traditional
thinking. Vinyl flooring has improved
dramatically in style and aesthetic options
over the last few years.
Few other floor covering categories
offer you the selection, styling, ease of
maintenance and value as a vinyl floor.
Technology has come a long way, and
vinyl flooring is definitely worth every
homeowner’s consideration.
Submitted by: Barry Sawatzky End Of The Roll
2998 Kilpatrick Avenue Courtenay BC V9N 8P1 • 250-334-9394
Email: courtenay@endoftheroll.com www.endoftheroll.com

MEET OUR ADVERTISERS
Slegg Lumber

Thinking of your new kitchen? “At
Slegg Lumber, we offer free inhome consultations to work with
your plans and ideas to create an
affordable and pleasing reality”.
See ad on page 3.

Francis Jeweller’s

VQA Wine Store

McConochies Furniture

Anderton Nursery Ltd.

Pilon Tool Rentals

Quality equipment rentals
available daily, weekly or
monthly to make your jobs
easier. Ask about our delivery
service. Call us at 250-338-5361.
See ad on page 6 & 11.

For over 35 years - 20 of which
has been in the Valley, Judith
has been doing Interior Design.
She shares her knowledge, new
trends, and accolades of our local
stores, trades and suppliers, by
writing a monthly column for this
newspaper.
See ad on page 13.

Open 7 days a week our grocery
stores are focused on food,
driven by our fresh expertise and
supported by superior customer
service. For those who need
assistance for grocery shopping
and home delivery ask about the
Sendial Program.
See ad on page 4.

has been serving the Comox
Valley for many years. Our
customer service combined with
our pricing is unmatched by any
competitor. We carry a large line
of jewellry, clocks, watches and
gift ware.
See ad on page 2.

Peter Finlayson, manager of
McConochies Furniture and Appliances carries the brand name
furniture and appliances that
you can trust. Come browse our
showroom.
See ad on page 13.

Judith Moore Interior Design

Thrifty Foods

Showcasing the very best
of BC Wines
and and open 7 days a week,
with prices that you would pay
at the Government Liquor Store.
See ad on page 5.

A local grower, retailer, wholesaler and Garden Center operating 16 green houses on 38 acres
in the Comox Valley. We have
knowledgeable staff to help you
design your garden.
See ad on page 8.

Level 10 Eurospa

Celebrating 22 years in business,
Level 10 Eurospa has always
promised to provide service
above the expected. At this full
service salon and spa it is all
about the client and ensuring
‘A Beautiful Experience’.
See ad on page 12.

Come & Enjoy!

11th Annual

Art & Festival

Bloom

May 18, 19 and 20, 2013

Kitty Coleman

Woodland Gardens

www.woodlandgardens.ca

16 The Comox Valley Record

Va l l e y L i v i n g

Tuesday, MAY 14, 2013

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DISCOVER FOR YOURSELF WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT

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Cannot be combined with another offer. Offer may end without notice.